Jimerson’s seven TDs pave way
Malvern senior quarterback Demias Jimerson was a one-man show Friday at Hot Springs Lakeside.
Jimerson accounted for 529 yards and 7 touchdowns in the Leopards’ 67-58 victory over the Rams at Austin Field.
Malvern (1-2) trailed Lakeside (0-3) 28-22 at halftime, but outscored the Rams 45-30 in the second half, with Jimerson being a part of five touchdowns in the final two quarters.
Jimerson rushed for 404 yards and 6 touchdowns on 24 carries and completed 13 of 20 passes for 125 yards and 1 touchdown. He had scoring runs of 65 yards in the first quarter, 11 yards in the second quarter, 30, 39 and 24 yards in the third quarter and 69 yards in the fourth quarter. His passing touchdown was a 47-yarder in the third quarter to Darion Weaver.
“It was like watching a video game,” Malvern Coach Mike Scarbrough said.
For his efforts, Jimerson is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps player of the week for Week Three. He will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Monday. Wisconsin Athletic Director and former Badgers coach Barry Alvarez is the special guest.
Of Jimerson’s seven touchdowns, it was his third touchdown of the third quarter that impressed Scarborough the most.
Malvern, which was leading 44-42, had fourth and 4 at the Lakeside 24. But Jimerson overcame a bad snap and eluded seven Lakeside defenders to reach the end zone. Jordan Hart’s two-point conversion run extended Malvern’s lead to 52-42 with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter.
“It was a bad snap,” Scarbrough said. “They had a free runner. He made a guy miss in the backfield. He made a guy miss on the edge.
“A lot of the night, we did a good job blocking for him. But that was just a great individual play.”
Jimerson has rushed for 671 yards and 9 touchdowns on 48 carries in 3 games. He has passed for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns and has returned a kick for another score.
“He’s a very versatile young man,” Scarbrough said. “He could play defensive back for us every snap, too, but we can’t afford to have him play defense.”
Malvern travels to Bauxite (2-1) on Friday for its 7-4A Conference opener.